By James O'Loan
news.com.au
A NEW wave of fatal asbestos-related diseases is on the way, threatening the state's amateur home renovators. Deaths are set to double.
Experts say the national death toll of 3000 a year from mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancers will double in the next 10 years _ and the proportion of Queenslanders in this category is set to rise from the current one-in-five.
Mesothelioma deaths in Queensland have leapt 30 per cent since 1997, outstripping all states and territories.
Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia president Barry Robson said the first cases of renovators falling victim to the killer diseases were appearing, and he warned there were many more to come.
Mr Robson said he was disappointed recent offers to supply Bunnings, Mitre 10 and other hardware stores with warning pamphlets had been rejected.
Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer that wraps itself around lung lining. It can take 20 to 30 years to appear, then usually kills within six to 18 months.
Asbestosis researcher and former university lecturer Dr Jim Leigh said terminal asbestos-related lung cancer rates were about double those of mesothelioma; both diseases are set to peak in the coming decade.
Former industrial oven installer Chris Smith, 58, has asbestos-related lung cancer and is part of the third wave of victims - mostly tradespersons and end-users of asbestos materials.
The first victims of the diseases were asbestos miners, followed by a second wave of the makers of building products, and later tradespeople.
The former smoker was diagnosed in 2004 and doctors will be surprised if he lives past 2011.
Chris Smith, who is chairman of the Queensland Asbestos Related Disease Support Society warned home renovators to take precautions.
"One exposure may kill, so if you're not sure if it's asbestos, wear a mask," Mr Smith said.
"The asbestos out there now is in a worse condition than it was. It's deteriorating and dusting away."
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare recorded 105 new Queensland mesothelioma cases in 2005, from 569 Australia-wide. Forecasts are based on a steady rise since data collection began in the 1980s but health professionals and victim support groups say the statistics are under-reported.
Brisbane's Slater and Gordon Lawyers asbestos specialist Tim Hammond painted a grim picture for those exposed to fibres.
He said the diseases' long gestation periods meant thousands were unaware the carcinogen had taken hold.
"Sadly, we're going to see more and more Queenslanders getting sick and dying from this disease," he said.
"There's going to be DIYers, mum-and-dad home renovators. We're really at the fourth wave now. The reality is most of the first and second wave are dead."
Exposure to asbestos, mined and used in Australian building materials for decades, can also cause non-cancerous asbestosis (scarring of the lungs) and pleural plaques.
Prince Charles Hospital lung specialist Dr Kwun Fong is part of a team of physicians treating a rising number of Queenslanders with one of the four variants.
"Unfortunately, there's no cure for mesothelioma at the moment but there are drugs that can prolong life and ease the symptoms," he said.
"If (cases of mesothelioma increase as predicted) we'll have to work out ways to deal with it."
Mr Robson said he would meet Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland within two months to push for a national approach to education, treatment and compensation for asbestos-related diseases.
news.com.au
A NEW wave of fatal asbestos-related diseases is on the way, threatening the state's amateur home renovators. Deaths are set to double.
Experts say the national death toll of 3000 a year from mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancers will double in the next 10 years _ and the proportion of Queenslanders in this category is set to rise from the current one-in-five.
Mesothelioma deaths in Queensland have leapt 30 per cent since 1997, outstripping all states and territories.
Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia president Barry Robson said the first cases of renovators falling victim to the killer diseases were appearing, and he warned there were many more to come.
Mr Robson said he was disappointed recent offers to supply Bunnings, Mitre 10 and other hardware stores with warning pamphlets had been rejected.
Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer that wraps itself around lung lining. It can take 20 to 30 years to appear, then usually kills within six to 18 months.
Asbestosis researcher and former university lecturer Dr Jim Leigh said terminal asbestos-related lung cancer rates were about double those of mesothelioma; both diseases are set to peak in the coming decade.
Former industrial oven installer Chris Smith, 58, has asbestos-related lung cancer and is part of the third wave of victims - mostly tradespersons and end-users of asbestos materials.
The first victims of the diseases were asbestos miners, followed by a second wave of the makers of building products, and later tradespeople.
The former smoker was diagnosed in 2004 and doctors will be surprised if he lives past 2011.
Chris Smith, who is chairman of the Queensland Asbestos Related Disease Support Society warned home renovators to take precautions.
"One exposure may kill, so if you're not sure if it's asbestos, wear a mask," Mr Smith said.
"The asbestos out there now is in a worse condition than it was. It's deteriorating and dusting away."
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare recorded 105 new Queensland mesothelioma cases in 2005, from 569 Australia-wide. Forecasts are based on a steady rise since data collection began in the 1980s but health professionals and victim support groups say the statistics are under-reported.
Brisbane's Slater and Gordon Lawyers asbestos specialist Tim Hammond painted a grim picture for those exposed to fibres.
He said the diseases' long gestation periods meant thousands were unaware the carcinogen had taken hold.
"Sadly, we're going to see more and more Queenslanders getting sick and dying from this disease," he said.
"There's going to be DIYers, mum-and-dad home renovators. We're really at the fourth wave now. The reality is most of the first and second wave are dead."
Exposure to asbestos, mined and used in Australian building materials for decades, can also cause non-cancerous asbestosis (scarring of the lungs) and pleural plaques.
Prince Charles Hospital lung specialist Dr Kwun Fong is part of a team of physicians treating a rising number of Queenslanders with one of the four variants.
"Unfortunately, there's no cure for mesothelioma at the moment but there are drugs that can prolong life and ease the symptoms," he said.
"If (cases of mesothelioma increase as predicted) we'll have to work out ways to deal with it."
Mr Robson said he would meet Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland within two months to push for a national approach to education, treatment and compensation for asbestos-related diseases.
No comments:
Post a Comment